Friday Fartlek: Kelley R.

1. What was your running “light bulb” moment? How did you get started and when?

I never really had a light bulb moment really. I started running because everyone else was doing it and I didn’t want to be left out. Having cerebral palsy has given me some limitations and I didn’t want it to stop me from running so I didn’t let it happen.

2. What distance are you looking to tackle or have tackled recently?

I tackled the half marathon distance in the month of December and closed out 2012 with a bang!

3. What has been your biggest challenge in your journey? What (or who) has been your biggest motivator?

My biggest challenge in my journey has been my own head. My legs can do it, but my brain is pretty sure that I can’t do it. My brain still thinks that way even know that I have tackled my half marathon goal. My bigget motivator has been all of fellow runners both on Twitter and Facebook. I love me some Run Chat!

4.What do you seek to accomplish through running?

I seek to motivate others and to show them that if they want to run they can. I have a disability and it hasn’t stopped me so whatever is stopping you shouldn’t be.

5. Time to motivate! What’s your advice to fellow beginning runners?

The best piece of advice I have for a beginning runner is that you brain will tell you that you can’t do it, but you can. You just have to push yourself and you will succeed and achieve your goal.

6. What’s your advice for seasoned runners? (just because you may be new to the sport doesn’t meant you don’t have anything to offer!)

Support your fellow runners. I don’t consider myself a seasoned runner or a new runner because I have been running for about a year and a half, but I know that it’s important to support others around you.

7. Tell readers one thing about you that we don’t already know (doesn’t have to be running related):

I’m a huge supporter of the March of Dimes March for Babies and I’m hoping to raise even more money this year than I have in previous years.